Job market

Master and/or PhD positions in studies of top-down modulation of early sensory processing

Positions for PhD students („Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter”, salary on TVL basis) and master students are now
available in the lab of Dr. Markus Rothermel, Emmy Noether Research group of
Neuromodulation at the RWTH Aachen.

We receive sensory information
via our sensory organs. However, what we perceive (and what we don’t!) is
strongly influenced by our attention and arousal state. Our brain thereby
actively influences and filters sensory information; mainly using so called
“top-down” inputs. A major goal of our research is to understand how “top-down”
inputs shape our perception of the external world and help us navigate through
it. We therefore record neuronal activity at the single neuron and population
level in transgenic mice and aim to decrypt the behavioral states that engage
top-down mechanisms (see
also www.neuromodulation.rwth-aachen.de
for further information).

The Rothermel lab uses a
variety of cutting-edge techniques in which the students will be trained,
including in vivo two-photon
microscopy, in vivo ephys,
epifluorescence imaging, genetic and optogenetic manipulations, and behavioral
experiments. We offer an open working flair, where we mutually benefit from
each other’s experiences without restricting creativity.

We are seeking highly motivated individuals that want to join
our DFG funded project (Emmy Noether Research group). The ideal candidate will
have a background in neuroscience, engineering, or related discipline and an
ability to work in a multidisciplinary team. Special considerations are given
to applicants with training in imaging, in
vivo physiology, computational approaches, and programming skills (esp.
LabView and MATLAB).

Applicants, please apply electronically to m.rothermel(at)sensorik.rwth-aachen.de.
Please include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and the names of two
references with regular and e-mail addresses and phone number.

Why Aachen? Aachen is both: a
great place to life AND to do science. The outstanding scientific reputation of
the RWTH is maybe best documented in its success in Germany's Excellence
Initiative. With its location at the border region between Belgium and the
Netherlands, Aachen is not only ideally situated to promote scientific
collaborations but also offers diverse neighborhoods, great schools, arts,
entertainment and recreation possibilities and therefore is a great choice to
call home.